(24 May 2024, 14:36 PM IST):
Kabosu, the beloved dog known as the face of Dogecoin, has passed away at the age of 18 after bravely battling illness. The Japanese shiba inu had been fighting leukemia and liver disease.
Today Kabosu, our community's shared friend and inspiration, peacefully passed in the arms of her person. The impact this one dog has made across the world is immeasurable.
— Dogecoin (@dogecoin) May 24, 2024
She was a being who knew only happiness and limitless love.
Please keep her spirit and her family in…
Kabosu’s iconic meme picture sparked the creation of Dogecoin (DOGE) back in 2013, originally as a playful digital currency. The success of DOGE paved the way for a wave of dog-themed tokens like shiba inu (SHIB) and floki (FLOKI), which have collectively become significant players in the cryptocurrency world.
Sharing the sad news on Instagram, Kabosu’s owner, Atsuko Sato, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love and support: “To all who cherished Kabosu, on the morning of May 24th, Kabosu crossed the rainbow bridge.
Ms. Sato, a teacher in Japan, adopted Kabosu in 2008 from an animal shelter after her previous home closed down.
The internet fell in love with Kabosu in 2010 when a photo of her, with her paws crossed and a hint of a smile, went viral on Reddit and Tumblr. Kabosu’s image was famously dubbed “Doge” by a Reddit user, a playful misspelling of “dog” inspired by a 2005 episode of Homestar Runner.